After playing the horror that was Mario Party Advance, I was very afraid for this game, especially considering that this was released just a few months after Mario Party 8 (PS: MP8 sucks). But I was pleasantly suprised at the improvements that the games have made for the DS installment.
Boards
Don't worry, the rules of the game are the same as they always have been. But what has returned are the great board designs that were last seen in MP4 (And man, have I missed them). In MP8, the boards were disasterous, but these board designs are just like the ones from the old games. That might sound like a bad thing, but trust me, it's a very good thing. The only problem is that the boards are on a smaller scale, so a slightly smaller board and a lower turn ratio (10-30, as opposed to 20-50) are noticable. Also, there are only 5 boards to play on, but I don't think that's much of a problem.
Minigames
Of course, the one thing that keeps you playing are the minigames. They utilize the Touch-Screen and the Microphone to an extent that's both great and not overdone. But they also use the buttons as well to mix a lot of variety into it.
Characters
Unfortunately, there are only 8 characters to play as in MPDS, which is on a smaller scale than in the more recent installments. Also, DK still hasn't made his triumphant return to the Character Roster, but Toad is there, instead. While I like Toad more than DK (don't ask why), I do miss playing as the old ape. At least there aren't any filler characters like in MP8.
Multiplayer
Yes, your dream of a portable multiplayer Mario Party have finally been realized. there is 4-player single-card play only (don't worry, you still get all the options you have in Single Player). There's the actual boardplay, minigames, and many other modes so you can have your party on the move. Unfortunately, you can't save your party, so you'll have to finish what you started. There's also no Wi-Fi, so your dream of an Online party hasn't been realized...yet:)
Graphics/Sound
The characters have nice detail to them. Much better than the N64 Mario Parties. Also, if you were worried about the blurry painting-style boards of the N64 ones, don't be. The boards are full 3-D and they look great! the sound has great quality, but the music itself is good, but not great.
Extras
There are a good amount of extras to unlock as well. From medals and emblems to new minigames, this game will have you coming back for more.
Overall, this is the best Mario Party in years. It has great Multiplayer and has no honest weakness. Definitely buy it if you're a fan of the series. Or, if you just like parties:)
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